Lindsey Vonn’s request to ski against men tabled until May FIS meeting
Associated Press file photo
ZURICH, Switzerland — A U.S. Ski & Snowboard proposal to the International Ski Federation to permit Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn to ski against the men was reviewed in a preliminary meeting of the FIS Alpine Executive Board Tuesday night in Zurich, Switzerland.
Given that the proposal was for the 2018-19 season, the board opted to table the motion until it meets again next May. U.S. officials were happy with the outcome as a first step to working with FIS on a plan that would provide Vonn with the opportunity and create a showcase event to promote the sport.
“There is support for the proposal among members of the executive board but also many points to clarify with FIS,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Alpine Director Patrick Riml. “We’re encouraged by the discussion and the fact that we now have a formal proposal in front of FIS which we can review with FIS in more detail during the season ahead.”
U.S. Ski & Snowboard had submitted the proposal as a one-time exception for Vonn, who has won an unprecedented 77 women’s World Cups and is closing in on the men’s mark of 86 held by Ingemar Stenmark.
The proposal will be discussed with FIS officials during the season and will come back up again when the organization meets mid-May for its biennial FIS Congress in Greece.
In 2012, FIS rejected a previous request on behalf of Vonn because its rules bar mixed gender races.
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